book data
61 ratings, 4.08 average rating, 27 reviews
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published
March 1st 2007
by HarperSanFrancisco
binding
Hardcover, 336 pages
isbn
0060762071
(isbn13: 9780060762070)
description
Bishop John Shelby Spong has been on a life–long quest to rescue the church from irrelevancy. In FREEING JESUS FROM RELIGION'S PRISON, he tak...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 133)
Read in January, 2008
Spong's theme is that since the Gospel stories of the man called Jesus are meant as literature rather than fact, one needs to strip away the fiction from the portrait of Jesus to find the man who so excited and energized his friends that they were willing to die in his name.
Some new interpretations of scriptural material; sort of libertarian in his mindset. Alas, sometimes sloppy editing and even sloppier research. I had expected better from him. I've followed up on some his references and I...more
Some new interpretations of scriptural material; sort of libertarian in his mindset. Alas, sometimes sloppy editing and even sloppier research. I had expected better from him. I've followed up on some his references and I...more
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Read in June, 2008
recommended to Katie by:
Someone at churchrecommends it for: Christians who are losing their faith
I like the reassessment of the Gospels based on the Hebrew scriptures, but I don't think the nonreligious will understand the book. Ex-Christians will probably appreciate it. From the title, and from my friend's recommendation, I was hoping for something aimed at the deeply unchurched, those with little or no experience of church, Christianity or Judeo-Christian faith or mythology. The title should be "Jesus for the ex-religious," or for ex-Christians, since Spong seems to be preach...more
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Read in October, 2007
On the advice of my very wise father, I only read the last section (the first 2 seemed redundant if you're familiar with Spong's other books). Spong attempts to untangle religion from Christ's life by focusing on Christ the man. I had come to some of these conclusions--religion only exists to allow for a sense of security in humans as the alternative is a meaningless existence and the focus on sin is a manipulative tool used by The Church in order to hold onto power and ultimately constantly fo...more
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Read in April, 2008
recommends it for:
Theological progressives with rationalist leanings
Bishop Spong takes a modernist / rationalist approach to the Gospels that makes sense to me. He accepts as reasonable that Jesus did exist as a historical person and that others found his teachings deeply moving, and divinely inspired. I found Spong's analysis of the gospels plausible, intelligible and fruitful. Spong's approach reminds me of Karen Armstrong, especially her distinction between mythos and logos. Spong refers to Paul Tillich and other modern theologians in emphasizing the mora...more
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Read in April, 2008
Had to return this to the library before finishing it. At halfway through, I found it very elucidating, but angering at the same time.
I have a hard time with people who have no sense of mystery; who worship science with the same blind trust that others worship God. Anyone who thinks that everything that CAN be explained by science ALREADY HAS BEEN is ignorant of the greater truths of the universe.
I believe in magic. I don't think this is naive; rather, I think it's naive NOT to. It's r...more
I have a hard time with people who have no sense of mystery; who worship science with the same blind trust that others worship God. Anyone who thinks that everything that CAN be explained by science ALREADY HAS BEEN is ignorant of the greater truths of the universe.
I believe in magic. I don't think this is naive; rather, I think it's naive NOT to. It's r...more
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Read in March, 2008
recommended to Jason by:
My mother, a devout Catholic.recommends it for: Anybody
Spong does a good job of simply explaining his insights, while at the same time challenging the reader to look at Jesus from a different point of view. Not considering myself particularly religious, while at the same time being brought up in the Catholic faith, this book at several moments hit me in the gut while at the same time opening my eyes to a different perspective. While not entirely life changing, it does help me to deeper embrace the Jesus I always thought I understood compared to the...more
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Read in August, 2007
Goes into, in a nonthreatening way, the many findings of Biblical scholarship that show the Bible not to be the inerrant word of God. The author holds that theism is a man-made response to a threatening world rather than the truth about an anthropomorphic deity; and gives his view of Jesus as the most spiritually-aware person in history.
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I think the title of this book is misleading, because while it takes a stance that seems to appeal to the non-religious, the author's actual goal is to find a way to embrace Christ in the modern world, where science and technology are constantly at odds with traditional Christian concepts. I'll let you know how well he does.
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This book helped me move beyond the religiosity attached to Jesus into a more metaphysical, more universal understanding. It may be quite shocking for traditionalists and very comforting/uplifting for people who have been turned off by Christianity. I found it very affirming of my progressive Catholic faith.
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Read in April, 2007
Here is a wonderful presentation of Jesus from a totally non-traditional perspective. I value hearing from as many different voices as possible. It is difficult at best to have answers when one knows the questions, but it is often necessary to seek other voices in order to discover new questions.
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Easily one of the most fascinating books I've read in years. Puts faith, religion and the historical versus the fictional Jesus into wonderful perspective. While some call this "heresy," I find it a blueprint for a faith that I can live with and grow in. Highly recommended.
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Read in August, 2007
Still reading . . . wow. If you're disillusioned with organized and intsitutionalized religion, Spong forges a refreshing path to Jesus that is not based on orthodoxy. Lots of debunking and inspirational with a new vision of who Jesus was.
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Read in January, 2007
recommended to Joel by:
Erin
Even though I'm still processing what this book means, it's having a major impact on me.
While reading it, I got the feeling that this was really radical thinking. And yet for some reason, it seemed that I had known it all along.
While reading it, I got the feeling that this was really radical thinking. And yet for some reason, it seemed that I had known it all along.
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An amazing book. It still baffles me that these teachings aren't being used in all churches today. Do we as humans want to know the truth? Or do we want to live in dogmatic fantasy?
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Read in November, 2007
recommended to Mary by:
fascinated by author on MPRrecommends it for: faith journeyers
Digs down to the basics of the Bible as you know it. Beware, this book can challenge you to base your faith on what Spong argues is the real foundation of Christianity.
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in February, 2008
Good book to read for those uncomfortable with religious dogma learned as a child and willing to entertain other possibilities. Another way to look at Christianity.
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Read in September, 2008
An absolutely amazing book. An eye-opener and rough journey. If you're a traditional christian... stay away. This book is harmful and very informative..
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Well researched and well reasoned book on understanding Christ and Christianity apart from the chains of literalism.
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Read in January, 2008
You don't have to be a fundamentalist to be a christian....you also don't have to ignore science or logic.
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Read in February, 2008
Everyone must read this book! It really has some revolutionary ideas about Jesus and Christianity.
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